OPENING OF THE PORT CHALMERS CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 75, 23 October 1852, Page 3

OPENING OF THE PORT CHALMERS CHURCH.

[communicated.]

This interesting event took place on. Sunday the 17th inst., when appropriate and impressive discourses were delivered (forenoon and afternoon) by the Rev. Thomas Burns to a serious and attentive congregation, and the whole services were of the most solemn and affecting character. As public worship could not be held in Dunedin, provision was made for taking some of the people by boat to Port Chalmers. The morning was fine, with a favourable and light breeze, and about 9 o'clock. Mr. Burns, accompanied by one of his Elders, some of his own family, and a few friends, floated off from the Jetty, and this boat was immediately followed by others,— all of them well-appointed and well-handled, — containing in all about 65, including most of the Elders and Deacons of the First Church of Otago. About an hour and a quarter brought the whole to Port Chalmers anchorage, when it became necessary to beat into the little Bay, which occupied about 15 minutes more. And here was a scene which none who saw it can ever forget. Between the emigrant ship " Persia" at anchor, and decorated with flags (as sailors are wont to express their respect), and the Port Town, with its few houses and handsome Church looking full down upon the scene, the sailing boats were crossing and re-crossing each other between the bold and beautiful sides of the harbour with the most animated and picuresque effect, and which strikingly contrasted with the earnest and serious deportment and the decorous silence of all. The movement also was so well timed, that the people had hardly landed when the Church-bell commenced, and other parties began to emerge from the woods, some of them having walked over the hill from the NorthEast Valley, in order to testify their interest in the brethren of Port Chalmers district, and unite with them in supplicating a blessing upon, the objects of this second strutcure, and that it may soon be changed from a mere preaching station into a regular charge, — a consummation the more desirable because of seafaring and other visitors, in addition to settlers in the Lower Harbour.

The collection in aid of the building (about £37) amounted to £18 taken at the Church ■door.

The boats departed at the close of afternoon service — half-past three— but having a head wind, and blowing rather fresh, did not reach Dunedin till nearly 7 o'clock.

THE following extract from a letter from Melbourne with which we have been favoured will be read with interest, as an indication of the turn that affairs are likely to take at the diggings and the adjoining country : —

Melbourne, 7th July 1852. * * * I posted a letter from M about three ago. 1 would have written you then, but I was so dreadfully disappointed iti the country we had landed in that I had not even written homeMr. is thinking of visiting New Zealand himself for the purpose of knowing and ascertaining the ■capabilities of the country for sheep farming. This country is so disturbed at present on account of the gold that farming is out of the question altogether, — every article is so dear, and no servants to be got. Sheep are dear, and not be got but at great expense. The state of society is fearful in the extreme, and every likelihood of its being worse, from the multitiide of vagabonds that will be introduced here on account of the gold. I consider it a curse to 'the country, and it will be years ere anything like quietness and regularity in business will be brought about again. We would be glad if you would write as soon .as possible, and inform us how the state of affairs are in your part of the country ; if it is adapted to the care of sheep, and how farming would succeed in it. All particulars would be gratefully received : the price of land, sheep, horses, cattle, &c. ; the rate of provisions, the appearance of the country, and the best mode of landing at your part of it. A paper would be a good way of knowing something of the country. Be so kind as send all the particulars you can, and if it is at all favourable, we ■will leave this immediately for New Zealand.